west Windsor transit village update

At the third planning workshop on April 19, Hillier Architecture revealed its latest redevelopment plan for the 350-acre area surrounding the Princeton Junction Train Station in West Windsor. The transit village proposal, which replaces four earlier concepts, includes 800,000 square feet of office space, 150,000 square feet of retail space and 1,000 housing units. The 1,000 residential units would be comprised of 600 unrestricted condominiums, 200 age-restricted condos and 150 apartments. The plan also calls for a relocation of the train station, in the direction of Route 571, pedestrian and bicycle access beneath the tracks, a provision for 5,700 parking spaces by 2030, and the creation of a main street along Route 571. Hillier anticipates the project getting started in five to six years with a build out goal of 10 to 15 years. The biggest sticking point among residents continues to be the amount of housing included in the plan. While Hillier estimates that the project-as it stands now-would only bring a total of 303 students to the district, many residents are still leery of the project and want more time to provide feedback. Some workshop participants requested more in-depth review of the project including computer simulations of traffic flow, data on the possibility that the development would increase crime, and more detailed information on the financial aspect of the plan. Mr. Hillier said the firm will continue to receive public input throughout meetings with the Planning Board and Township Council. The architecture firm will appear before Township Council and the Planning Board on June 4 with a revised version of the plan. Council has tentatively scheduled an open meeting for residents to comment on the plan on May 21.